An Audi Thanksgiving!

[czum09]

So this happen today.....

IMG_3182 by Chris Zumwalt, on Flickr

[rockbeau25]

I was expecting this thread to be something along the lines of "post an Audi you're thankful for"...

Bummer


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[czum09]

It was a depressing start to the day. What's even more depressing is deciding what parts to buy.

[xalents23]

How the heck did that happen?

[czum09]

I was pulling out of my parking spot and it broke. Got lucky really.

[Willënskraft]

It looks like it would take an extreme amount of force for that to happen. Did you hit something when pulling out?

[Turbo_B5]

Seeing shit like this makes me happy im throwing a new front end on my 01 before drive it anymore. Got a picture of how the wheel is sitting with the broken arm? Good luck getting it sorted out.

[walky_talky20]

Looks like you need an FCP kit there, sir.

[calvertatie]

It was a depressing start to the day.

[czum09]

It looks like it would take an extreme amount of force for that to happen. Did you hit something when pulling out?

Nope was just pulling out, turned the wheel and it broke. My guess is these are he original control arms.

Obligitory picture, when your A4 wants to be slammed but you're not ready....

IMG_3191 by Chris Zumwalt, on Flickr

[czum09]

Which kit should I buy? 034, URO, Vaico?? Opinions needed!

[czum09]

I might buy this: https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...iece-4d0498998

[Seerlah]

034 ones are not that great. Going to be swapping mine out after about 40k or so. Not all are problematic, but figure do them all at the same time anways.

[czum09]

Good to know. What are you going with this time?

[coolgraymemo]

Nope was just pulling out, turned the wheel and it broke. My guess is these are he original control arms.

Obligitory picture, when your A4 wants to be slammed but you're not ready....

IMG_3191 by Chris Zumwalt, on Flickr

wut. no sunroof brilliant yellow?

[Turbo_B5]

Which kit should I buy? 034, URO, Vaico?? Opinions needed!

I had no problems from my vaico kit after 30000kms on my 97. But I went with a better kit for my 01, Meyle HD.

[Seerlah]

OEM lasts the longest. Want to search out who makes them and run with those. OEM goes 100k+before needing change. Most aftermarkets dont make it that far. When i changed out my oem units, they were actually still good. But over time, you dont get the crisp steering response that you do from having new bushings. That is the only reason i did replace them.

[Bordom]

OEM lasts the longest. Want to search out who makes them and run with those. OEM goes 100k+before needing change. Most aftermarkets dont make it that far. When i changed out my oem units, they were actually still good. But over time, you dont get the crisp steering response that you do from having new bushings. That is the only reason i did replace them.

OEM is Lemfoerder

Everything graciously mispelled by Android

[Seerlah]

Thanks for that!

[Articus]

Thanks for that!

but the full control arm kit is expensive as hell. FCP Euro has Lemforder kits in stock. But a full front end replacement is over $1000. Highway robbery lol...

[Seerlah]

They can be sought for cheaper. Im a pretty good internet shopper.

[Bordom]

They can be sought for cheaper. Im a pretty good internet shopper.

Thanks for that!

Be sure to post links

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[Articus]

but the full control arm kit is expensive as hell. FCP Euro has Lemforder kits in stock. But a full front end replacement is over $1000. Highway robbery lol...

Ok i lied, looks like it's about $884.

[adam044]

Duct tape and you're good to go.

[czum09]

wut. no sunroof brilliant yellow?

Yes sir!!! One hell of a find. Very cheap too.

[czum09]

but the full control arm kit is expensive as hell. FCP Euro has Lemforder kits in stock. But a full front end replacement is over $1000. Highway robbery lol...

I'm thinking I'm just going to get the FCP euro kit. I can't see spending 4x more. If I get 50k out of them, it will justify the cost.

[Knikkz31]

Same thing happened to mine, but I was doing 40 and hit a pothole that caused it to break. After looking at it further, it seemed like it was already cracked or at least stressed, and the pothole was the final straw. Luckily I saved it from hitting a guard rail and doing any more damage. Replaced all the control arms with the Vaico kit and it has probably around 10k miles on it now with no issues.

[czum09]

Same thing happened to mine, but I was doing 40 and hit a pothole that caused it to break. After looking at it further, it seemed like it was already cracked or at least stressed, and the pothole was the final straw. Luckily I saved it from hitting a guard rail and doing any more damage. Replaced all the control arms with the Vaico kit and it has probably around 10k miles on it now with no issues.

Crazy! That's why I know I got lucky. I went ahead and ordered the FCP kit. Warranty sold me.

[GOODBYNAAIR]

I have 034 and cant really tell difference when they go i will most likely go FCP better price point. Be sure to install them right or you will kill them after about 1000 miles. there is a DIY around some place


Edit
Need to be sure to tightened all the bolts with the suspension loaded.


DIY

[Believer]

Can anyone clarify exactly how loaded the suspension should be? For example, do you just jack the knuckle till it lifts the car? Or do you load it a certain amount then tighten? I did mine the former and I feel like they've failed prematurely

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[czum09]

Lowering it on to a jack stand should suffice as "loaded". Really anything to simulate the normal weight on each wheel.

[GOODBYNAAIR]

Can anyone clarify exactly how loaded the suspension should be? For example, do you just jack the knuckle till it lifts the car? Or do you load it a certain amount then tighten? I did mine the former and I feel like they've failed prematurely

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I didnt load mine the first time and caught it in time and only a few failed.
the 2nd time after reading up about all this.

Dont know if this is the "Right" way but I measured when the car was at is normal height (whatever that is for you) at the middle of the axle bolt to the fender well, because the wheels are coming off. then after I installed the new arms I jacked up the hub until the bolt was at the same height as when the car was sitting. I think I have about 8-10k on mine and they are fine now.

if you did mess a few up you can always replace just the bushing because the rest of it should be fine.

bushings

[Believer]

I didnt load mine the first time and caught it in time and only a few failed.
the 2nd time after reading up about all this.

Dont know if this is the "Right" way but I measured when the car was at is normal height (whatever that is for you) at the middle of the axle bolt to the fender well, because the wheels are coming off. then after I installed the new arms I jacked up the hub until the bolt was at the same height as when the car was sitting. I think I have about 8-10k on mine and they are fine now.

if you did mess a few up you can always replace just the bushing because the rest of it should be fine.

bushings

That's a good point about just replacing the bushings. For some reason I had never thought of that and you're right the ball joints should be just fine

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[czum09]

Yes!

IMG_3224 by Chris Zumwalt, on Flickr

[czum09]

Forgot to update this. The A4 is back on the road. Highly reccomend FCP Euro. Rides great, steering response is better than ever. Now to chase a slicking noise when I turn the wheel quickly from right to left.

Picture of the carnage:
IMG_3250 by Chris Zumwalt, on Flickr

[richardodn]

As for how loaded should it be...

When assembling, barely snug the 4 arm to frame connections and the pinch bolt on top. They should still be able to move but not slop around. Put your car on the ground and drive it slowly around the block or less. Then drive it up on ramps and do your final tightening.

[BlackLock_A4]

Dont know if this is the "Right" way but I measured when the car was at is normal height (whatever that is for you) at the middle of the axle bolt to the fender well, because the wheels are coming off. then after I installed the new arms I jacked up the hub until the bolt was at the same height as when the car was sitting. I think I have about 8-10k on mine and they are fine now.

But the ride height doesn't matter. Just jack it up until all the weight is off the jack stand. This is your loaded position. I did the same thing with all the measuring - then the light bulb came on. Haha.

[czum09]

As for how loaded should it be...

When assembling, barely snug the 4 arm to frame connections and the pinch bolt on top. They should still be able to move but not slop around. Put your car on the ground and drive it slowly around the block or less. Then drive it up on ramps and do your final tightening.

Right. That's basically what I did. Hand tight bolts, load the suspension, then torque down. If you guys have questions, PM me and I can explain my process.

[happy2B5]

Thanks for that!

Or trw